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Fiber laser marking machine

What Is Laser Marking?

Laser marking is a non – contact marking technique that uses a high – energy – density laser beam to create permanent or semi – permanent marks on a wide variety of materials. It has become a popular choice in many industries due to its precision, speed, and flexibility.

What Is Laser Marking?

Laser cutting and engraving (also laser etching) are the most common terms used when referring to modifying the surface of a material with a laser.

Marking is less frequently mentioned, but just as effective for many purposes. It is one of many uses for industrial lasers as well as cutting and engraving.

Laser marking uses a focused laser beam to create permanent marks on a material’s surface without removing any material. This process changes the colour or appearance of the surface and is commonly used for marking serial numbers, logos, and barcodes on various materials.

The main difference between laser marking and laser engraving is that marking does not remove areas of the material. Instead, the laser beam heats the surface causing its colour to alter, permanently marking the material.

As with any laser application, this is much more effective than manually modifying the material.

Fiber laser marking machine

Main Types Of Laser Marking Methods

There are multiple ways to mark a variety of material surfaces, the following methods are the most common, and each form is achievable with any of our laser engravers.

The versatility of these machines means you can change the settings to achieve completely different results. These variations include:

  • Annealing – A process in which the beam heats up the surface enough to finely oxidise it. The process is used on metals containing carbon, e.g. titanium.
  • Carbon Migration – Heat from the laser raises carbon molecules to the material surface resulting in a dark marking. This is another variation suitable for only carbon-containing metals.
  • Foaming – Foaming is a variation used on plastics, particularly dark ones. The focused material is melted creating a foamy appearance that remains sealed once the material has cooled down. This reduces the density of the focused area and, therefore allows light to pass through it, leaving a light, smooth marking.
  • Colouration/Discolouration Marking – The laser heats the material enough to oxidise its surface, altering its colour. This laser marking process depends on the type and colour of the material used, but can leave a contrasting finish on any colour material.

Comprehensive Materials Processing provides scientific background on various types of marking.

Materials That Can Be Marked With A Laser Include:

  • Coated metals
  • Uncoated metals (CO2 lasers require a marking compound to be applied)
  • Leather
  • Glass
  • Silicone
  • Ceramics
  • Card
  • Fabrics

Types Of Laser Marking Machines

There are various types of laser marking machines designed for different applications.

Each type is ideal for specific materials and operations. We’ll explore the two most common types: CO2 laser markers and fiber laser markers.

This comparison will help you decide between a fiber laser and a CO2 laser for your needs.

CO2 Laser Markers

CO2 laser markers are commonly used for engraving non-metal surfaces. These machines utilize a sealed-tube system with light beams to create precise markings.

They are popular for product recognition, logos, date stamping, and more. CO2 lasers are excellent for engraving serial numbers, logos, matrix codes and barcodes on a variety of products including electrical appliances, food and medical packaging, and electronic components.

Applications

The wavelength of CO2 lasers is particularly effective on organic materials like paper, wood, and a wide range of plastics. They are also suitable for marking leather.

Pros:

  • Ideal for coated metals such as painted brass and anodised aluminium.
  • Versatile across various non-metal materials, beneficial for industries ranging from electronics to medical and packaging.

Cons:

  • Expensive to engrave uncoated metals with a marking compound
  • Galvo CO2 machines are fast but have a limited engraving area. Regular CO2 engraving and cutting machines have much larger working areas but the engraving process is much slower than a galvo engraver.

Fiber Laser Engravers/Markers

Fiber laser engravers have gained popularity due to their power and efficiency. These solid-state lasers typically range from 20 to 50 watts and use ytterbium to generate photons at a wavelength of around 1,090 nm.

This makes them ideal for marking metal materials.

Applications

Fiber laser markers excel at depth engraving and etching, especially on harder metals. Their small spot sizes allow for high-resolution marking, making them suitable for small-component batch markings.

Pros

  • Highly versatile and efficient, offering faster marking speeds.
  • No consumables are required, with economic power usage and minimal maintenance.
  • Excellent beam quality with high monochromatic filtration for varying power outputs.

Cons

  • May not be as effective on materials with high reflectivity.
  • Limited ability to create deep engravings on certain metals.

Other Laser Marking Machines

In addition to CO2 and fiber lasers, other laser marking technologies offer excellent results for specific applications.

Nd Laser Markers

Nd laser markers are compact and lightweight, known for marking thin sheets of metal without causing warping or distortion. They are widely used for small, precise markings on materials such as aluminum, steel, and other plated metals.

Green Laser Markers

Green laser markers operate in the green visible light spectrum (532 nm) with power levels ranging from 5 to 10 watts. They are designed for marking highly reflective materials and are ideal for sensitive substrates like silicon wafers.

Green lasers exhibit high precision and reduced thermal impact, making them suitable for soft plastics, circuit chips, and PCB boards.

UV Laser Markers

UV lasers, with a wavelength of 355 nm, are known for their high absorption rate and cold marking capabilities, which minimise heat stress on the material. They are perfect for marking plastics, glass, and ceramics. UV lasers provide high-quality micro-marking for electronic components and medical equipment.

Examples Of Laser Marking Applications

There are many applications for marking, depending on your requirements. One of the most popular is text and numbers on a range of materials.

The precision of marking is perfect for serial and batch numbers, bar codes, etc.

They have no problem producing letters and numbers easily readable to the human eye, and can even create lettering so small it’s only recognised with magnifying equipment or automated technology.

laser marking machine

Considerations and Limitations

  • Initial Investment: The cost of purchasing a laser marking system can be relatively high. It includes the cost of the laser source, the marking head, the control system, and any additional software or accessories. However, the long – term benefits in terms of productivity and quality may justify this investment.
  • Operator Training: Operating a laser marking system requires some training. The operator needs to understand the laser’s parameters, such as power, pulse duration, and scanning speed, and how to adjust them according to the material and the desired marking effect. Incorrect settings can lead to poor – quality marks or damage to the material.
  • Material Compatibility: While laser marking is versatile, some materials may be more difficult to mark than others. For example, certain plastics may have a narrow range of laser parameters that produce acceptable marks. Some materials may also require pre – treatment or post – treatment to achieve the best marking results.

Advantages of Laser Marking

A. Precision and Accuracy

  1. Fine Details and Small Features
    • Laser marking can achieve an extremely high level of precision. It can create marks with line widths as small as a few micrometers. This allows for the creation of highly detailed patterns, barcodes, and micro – text. In the electronics industry, for example, laser marking is used to mark tiny components with serial numbers and other identification information. The ability to create such fine details ensures that even the smallest parts can be accurately identified and traced.
  1. Repeatability
    • Laser marking systems are highly repeatable. Once the marking parameters are set, the laser can create identical marks on multiple products with consistent quality. This is crucial for mass – production applications, where uniformity is essential. In the automotive industry, thousands of parts can be marked with the same high – quality logo or serial number, ensuring that each part meets the required standards.

B. Durability and Permanence

  1. Resistance to Wear and Environmental Factors
    • Marks created by laser marking are highly durable. They are resistant to wear, abrasion, and chemical corrosion. In outdoor applications, such as marking on utility poles or street signs, laser – marked information remains legible for years. In the industrial sector, parts that are exposed to harsh operating conditions, such as in chemical plants or mining equipment, can be effectively marked with laser technology. The marks are not easily removed or faded, ensuring long – term identification and traceability.
  1. Long – Term Legibility
    • Unlike some traditional marking methods, such as ink – based printing or stamping, laser – marked information does not fade over time. This is especially important for products with long lifecycles, such as aerospace components or medical implants. The permanent nature of laser marks ensures that important information, such as product specifications and safety instructions, remains accessible throughout the product’s lifespan.

C. Non – Contact Process

  1. No Mechanical Stress on the Workpiece
    • Since laser marking is a non – contact process, there is no physical contact between the marking tool and the workpiece. This means that there is no mechanical stress or damage to the material during the marking process. Delicate materials, such as thin – walled glass containers, semiconductor wafers, or fragile electronic components, can be marked without the risk of breakage or deformation. In the manufacturing of optical lenses, for example, laser marking can be used to mark the lens surface without affecting its optical properties.
  1. Suitable for Delicate and Fragile Materials
    • The non – contact nature of laser marking makes it ideal for marking materials that are sensitive to mechanical stress. In the jewelry industry, precious gemstones can be marked with laser technology without causing any damage to their surface or internal structure. This allows for the identification and authentication of gemstones without compromising their value.

D. High – Speed Marking

  1. Increased Productivity in Mass Production
    • Laser marking is a relatively fast process. Depending on the complexity of the mark and the material being marked, a laser marking system can mark multiple products in a short time. In a high – volume production line, such as in the manufacturing of consumer electronics or automotive parts, laser marking can significantly increase productivity. For example, a high – speed fiber laser marking system can mark hundreds of parts per minute, ensuring efficient production and timely delivery of products.
  1. Quick Turnaround for Custom Orders
    • Even for custom – marked products, laser marking can provide a quick turnaround. The ability to easily program the laser to create different marks or designs allows for rapid customization. In the case of personalized gifts or promotional items, laser marking can be used to create unique designs or messages in a short time, meeting the demands of customers who require fast – paced production.

E. Versatility

  1. Compatibility with a Wide Range of Materials
    • Laser marking can be applied to a vast array of materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics, glass, wood, and composites. Different types of lasers are suitable for different materials, as discussed earlier. For example, a CO₂ laser can mark wood and plastic, while a fiber laser is more effective for marking metals. This versatility makes laser marking a one – stop solution for many industries that deal with multiple materials.
  1. Flexibility in Marking Styles and Applications
    • Laser marking offers great flexibility in terms of marking styles. It can create simple text, complex graphics, 2D and 3D barcodes, and even holographic – like marks. In addition to product identification and branding, laser marking can be used for decorative purposes, such as creating artistic patterns on glassware or wooden furniture. It can also be used for functional marking, such as creating alignment marks on mechanical components.

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